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Eucharist J. 'E. J.' La Bry Orange, TX QCWA # 26393 Chapter 51 |
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Eucharist Joseph "E.J." LaBry
Birth 6 Sep 1915
Death 11 May 2012 (aged 96)
Kaplan.Funeral services will be held at 2 p..m. Monday, May 14, 2012 at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan honoring the life of Eucharist (E.J.) Joseph LaBry, 96, who died Friday, May 11, 2012 at Eastridge Assisted Living Center in Abbeville. He will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Deacon David Vaughn officiating the services. Cindy Luquette with Heart of Hospice will sing Amazing Grace.
E.J. was a native of Kaplan, Louisiana and grew up in the Cossinade area. He was the son of the late Edvar LaBry and Lea Meaux.
As a young man, Mr. LaBry traveled extensively. He was a United States Merchant Marine Radio Officer licensed by the Coast Guard. He acquired his education as a radio officer in Boston, Massachusetts and served during World War II in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean/Middle East areas. He served on the USS Cayuse and was decorated with the Merchant Marine Emblem, Atlantic War Zone Bar, and the Mediterranean/Middle East War Zone Bar.
After World War II, Mr. E.J. worked for over 21 years as a radio officer in the Marine Department of Texaco, Inc. He joined Texaco in 1961 working aboard the SS Texaco North Carolina and last served on the SS Massachusetts in 1982. During his tenure with Texaco, Mr. LaBry traveled on numerous occasions to Europe, the Caribbean, up and down the east and west coasts of the United States, and through the Panama Canal area. His occupation led to a hobby as a ham radio operator for many years.
Upon his retirement, Mr. E.J. pursued a lifelong love of interest in farming by buying and settling on a farm in east Texas. He spent over fifteen years gardening, working with an orchard, and producing honey. He later relocated closer to family in the Maurice, Louisiana area. The last year of Mr. LaBry's life was spent at Eastridge Assisted Living Center in Abbeville where he continued his love of gardening for as long as he could.
Mr. LaBry is survived by two daughters, Lea Meisetschlaeger and her husband, Rodney of Beaumont, Texas and Annette Skaggs and her husband, Jack of Bossier City, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Amy Contreras of Houston, Texas, Jack Ryan Skaggs of Bossier City, Jill Skaggs of Bossier City, and Renee Thornton of Lafayette; and great grandchildren, Christopher Wooley of Lafayette and another expected boy this month. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Amy Dean Valdetero and Delores Hebert.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan LaBry Anderson; his sister, Emily Meaux; his brother, Lernes LaBry; half-sister, Edna Mae Duhon-Ford; and half-brother, Louis Mallet.
Mr. LaBry's family would like to thank the staff at Heart of Hospice for their help and Eastridge Assisted Living Center for making their father feel at home over the last year. Heartfelt gratitude goes out to two very special ladies, Ellen and Susan, for stepping up and helping out during a time of great need. Mr. E.J. could not have been in better hands! Bless you!
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Avenue, on Monday, May 14, 2012 from 10 a.m. until services.